Haocailou: A Modern Take on Traditional Shunde Culture

Sig Studio's Innovative Design Approach to Highlight Shunde Culture in a Restaurant Setting

The design of Haocailou is a result of extensive research and innovative thinking. The designers visited local folk museums and interacted with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to understand how to incorporate traditional handicrafts into modern designs. The design features images of traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional daliang fish lanterns, Shunde phoenix Crown, phoenix boat, bridal Sedan chair, Guan Gong Lion, and Gambiered Canton Gauze, all presented in a modern way to highlight Shunde culture.

The project's unique properties lie in its ability to highlight Shunde culture and attract a younger audience. The term 'Haocai' in Shunde culture signifies good luck, a sense of festival, rich and beautiful color, or colorful fabrics. The design incorporates a large number of lanterns, traditional colors, and multi-layer materials to create a lively atmosphere and present Shunde culture. The phoenix, a symbol of auspiciousness and a nickname for Shunde, is used as a theme to express happiness.

The realization of the design involved desktop research and on-site market research about Cantonese cuisine and Shunde cuisine, as well as an on-site visit to learn about Shunde culture. The project area spans 542sqm and features innovative elements such as the handrails used as beams to support the overall weight, and the traditional Shunde cuisine being served at the bar. The third floor, designed for private rooms, is inspired by Shunde fish lanterns.

The design faced challenges in highlighting the cultural characteristics of Shunde while distinguishing it from daily Cantonese culture and attracting the attention of young people. The team overcame these challenges by incorporating innovative elements such as the yellow-stained stairs, which are magnificent and concise, like a dragon hovering up, and the traditional Shunde cuisine served at the bar, which is based on a double-layer phoenix boat.

Haocailou is a testament to Sig Studio's innovative approach to design. The project, which was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2023, is a perfect example of how traditional elements can be incorporated into modern designs to create unique and engaging spaces. The design is a reflection of the studio's commitment to creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally significant and meaningful.

The design of Haocailou is a testament to Sig Studio's innovative approach to design. The project, which was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2023, is a perfect example of how traditional elements can be incorporated into modern designs to create unique and engaging spaces. The design is a reflection of the studio's commitment to creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally significant and meaningful.